TGS 2006: Seaman 2 Hands On

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We waited an hour and played something related to Seaman 2.

By Anoop Gantayat

Seaman 2 is playable at Sega's Tokyo Game Show booth this year. Well, at least there was a controller attached to something in the dark, enclosed room that I entered after having endured a 60 minute wait.

Entering through the room's curtains once the security guard had okayed my entry (unlike the other booths that are watched over by scantily-clad girls, Seaman 2 was guarded by male security guards), I found another security guard watching over a line of four people waiting to use a single Seaman microphone peripheral. I wasn't sure what the controller was attached to, but this was only a secondary concern to what lay before me.

Sega's Seaman 2 booth

Seated in a glass case embedded in one of the walls was an ancient skull. Beside it were four teeth that had become separated.. The skull was mostly in tact, with just a few cracks here and there. The accompanying description stated that I was looking at a clone of the original Peking Man skull. This clone was created from the original artifact, which is now located in the Moscow space administration, using the latest in cloning technology.

I immediately understood the need for extra security at this exhibit.

Eventually, the line cleared up, and I was given nearly exclusive access to the Seaman mic and whatever lay in front of it (near exclusive because there was a descendant of a Peking Man behind me).

In front of the mic was an optical illusion: a tiny 3D forest (not 3D as in on a flat monitor, but 3D as in having visual depth) with a tiny ape-dude walking around.

The original Seaman had a similar promotion.

The ape-dude was nearly clotheless, save for a leaf keeping his Wiimote hidden. He was mumbling ape-dude grunts. I'm not sure what he was saying, but he seemed to be mad. Ape-dude seemed to be mad throughout our entire interaction.

By speaking into the mic (I said "Moshi Moshi," which is Japanese for "Yo, what up, dog?"), I was able to get the ape-dude's attention. I then pushed a button, which brought up a hand that tapped the screen in classic Seaman style. Ape-dude mumbled something. I pushed another button which sent a banana falling to the ground. Ape-dude scurried to it and began eating. I left Ape-dude in silence for a bit, and he decided to relieve himself.

That will have to change for the US version.

I pushed another button, and a giant hand picked Ape-dude up and dropped him to the ground. Ape-dude got pissed. He picked up a stone off the ground and tossed it at me. The screen went fuzzy and the guard motioned that I should leave. So, I left.

In Seaman 2, you'll get a chance to interact with a Peking Man, whom I presume will look like Ape-dude. The game takes place in modern times. The creature you interact with is actually a 20 centimeter high clone.

I don't think Sega will include a pricey 3D display with every copy of Seaman 2 (a microphone controller will be included in the 7800 bundle version, though). So, Sega's TGS Seaman 2 display wasn't the real Seaman 2. But it would be cool if it were.